
This read me file provides general information on how to access the data used in this project.

The two restricted-access datasets used in the analysis are:

 - The Business Structure Database (BSD) 
 - The Labour Force Survey (LFS) with Ward-level geographical identifiers

The two datasets can be accessed by authorised users via the UK Data Service Secure Lab.

Interested users can find information on how to become an authorised user and access the data at the following address:

https://www.ukdataservice.ac.uk/get-data/how-to-access/accesssecurelab

According to the UK Data Service web-pages:
Access to UK Office for National Statistics datasets is restricted to ONS Approved Researchers under the Statistics and Registration Services Act of 2007.
Access to UK non-government data is restricted to ESRC Accredited Researchers.

Accessing the data entails (among other things), the following steps:

- Submitting a user agreement which must be signed by the applicant and his/her organisation before access can be given to the Secure Lab
- Submitting a project application detailing the aims of the project and the data required
- Submitting an approved researcher/accredited researcher application highlighting the preparation and experience the applicant has in dealing with confidential micro-data 
- Attending a training course to understand how to use the Secure Lab
- Working from a desk computer at a UK academic institution or an ESRC-funded research centre with a fixed IP address that has been previously communicated to the Secure Lab managers

Additional data can be uploaded onto the Secure Lab using their on-line system. 
We used this facility to upload Input Output tables, patents data and information on the mapping between postcodes and TTWA as well as classifications of urban and rural areas.

Only formatted output (tables and figures) with explanatory notes can be cleared from the system.
Neither data nor xl files can be cleared.




